Major plans to protect workers and build the skill base in NSW are afoot, Premier Chris Minns has told the Labor faithful who followed him from the electoral wilderness.
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Mr Minns addressed the bi-annual NSW Labor conference for the first time as premier on Sunday, heralding achievements since the party returned to power in March 2023.
The election victory ended 12 years in opposition.
"None of us join this party to sit on the sidelines, out of government and just looking in," Mr Minns said.
"Labor exists to win, so that we can fulfil the mission of this conference."
Scrapping a cap on public sector wages and boosting local manufacturing were among the highlights of its work so far.
But the premier had a not-so-thinly veiled message for his audience, entering Sydney's Town Hall to the 1974 hit You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
"It's all still ahead of us," he said.
"Having run a marathon to get into government, we have to start another one straight away to rebuild the state."
Convenience should not come before the rights of workers, who deserve protection from exploitation, Mr Minns said, announcing plans to protect rideshare drivers and on-demand deliverers.
Minimum pay and conditions for people doing difficult and dangerous work dropping off takeaway food orders or ferrying those in need of a lift will be targeted in legislation to be introduced by the end of 2024.
"We can't be a society that prioritises our convenience over these workers, that treats them as if they're disposable or anonymous, or someone to be exploited," Mr Minns said.
Workers will also be able to appeal against being deactivated on apps through a mediation process to arbitrate disputes.
Representatives for Uber and DoorDash separately told AAP the companies recently consulted on national regulations.
An Uber spokesperson said the NSW reforms could lead to unnecessary complexity and uncertainty by duplicating federal laws.
"We believe that a nationally consistent set of standards is the best way to ensure all Australian gig workers benefit equally, regardless of where they choose to work," they told AAP.
A Doordash spokesperson said minimum standards cannot compromise unique aspects of the gig economy, which is what people delivering on its platform have said they want.
"Gig work gives people choice to work when and how they choose, so they can have a decent standard of living," the spokesperson said.
Elsewhere, the exploitation of migrant workers is in the crosshairs of a plan to provide advice, education and training for people who may not be proficient in English or aware of their workplace rights in Australia.
Mr Minns also announced a $252 million injection for local councils to employ 1300 more apprentices and trainees, as declining workforce numbers are set to be exacerbated by the retirements of skilled workers whose knowledge should be passed to the next generation.
Conspicuously absent from his address was any mention of the CFMEU, as were any delegates, after the premier banned them from attending.
The government sought to impose an independent administrator on the union's construction and general arm earlier in July amid numerous corruption allegations in NSW and interstate.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese similarly avoided mentioning the union when addressing the conference on Saturday.
An Australian Labor Party national vice-president, Mich-Elle Myers, unfurled a CFMEU shirt while speaking during an urgent debate, supporting the repeal of laws targeting protesters who block access to certain infrastructure, and others tightening bail for young people.
The motion was declared lost after about an hour of spirited debate which included Attorney-General Michael Daley arguing against repealing the laws.
Australian Associated Press
